Kaya Natin! cites Malabon mayor for good governance

Mayor Antolin Oreta III. mmda.gov.ph photo

MANILA, Philippines—Malabon City Mayor Antolin Oreta III has been named a “Champion of Good Governance” by Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership.

Oreta, son of former Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta and first cousin of President Benigno Aquino III, is the only Metro Manila-based official out of the five champions cited this year.

The other honorees are Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Sitti Turabin-Hataman; Mayor Sandy Javier of Javier, Leyte province; Mayor Jun Evasco of Maribojoc, Bohol; and Mayor Lorna Vero of Llanera, Nueva Ecija.

According to Kaya Natin!, the five awardees passed its “3Es criteria” or yardstick for effective, ethical and empowering leadership. After assuming office in 2012, Oreta promoted transparency by posting the city government’s financial reports, including the results of contract biddings and procurements, on its website for public scrutiny.

He also intensified efforts to ensure that every child in Malabon gets to finish basic education. In the latest National Achievement Test, Grade 3 pupils from Malabon topped all schools in Metro Manila despite the city’s relatively small budget for youth education. In the overall rankings, which include Grade 6 and high school levels, Malabon improved to ninth place from being the 15th last year.

The Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership is chaired by former Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio with Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Gerona Robredo, Jim Paredes, Jess Lorenzo and Councilor Amie Malabag-Hernandez of Nagcarlan, Laguna, as board members.